To ask those of you who wear sizes 4-6 to talk to me about professional work clothes?

[hellokittymania]

Where do you shop? How do you find nice things? I shop at uniqlo and that's it really, for work things.

[hellokittymania]

Sorry I am using dictation the post above meant to say as somebody else said .

[hellokittymania]

I was somebody else says I think it might depend on who the shops are selling to . Size 6 at John Lewis hangs off of me . I tried to buy a dress there a few years ago for a conference . Even age 13 in children's can be too big depending on the brand . I only by children's things at Asda and usually fit into age 12 to 13 .

[Birdsbeesandtrees]

It's obviously not the same as the sizing 40 odd years ago.

But it's no more vanity sizing than any of the other sizes.

[pigeondujour]

I find French Connection stuff very big, but again, although I love their stuff it's designed for women with more disposable income a bit older than me.

[apostropheuse]

Of course it's vanity sizing. I was a teen in the seventies and only the really really slim girls could wear a ten. Most wore a twelve or above. I don't remember even seeing eights until later.

[Westfacing]

I agree with your cousin Astoria - I know I haven't really gone down two sizes, more's the pity.

[Astoria7974]

French connection & Karen Millen depends on your figure. Case in point my sister is a pear shaped 4, and finds both brands huge around the waist and chest. I think some vanity sizing is there - for example I fit into a FC 10 in troussrs when I'm a 12-14 everywhere else, but it gapes at the waist so doesn't really look great.

[AyeAmarok]

Karen Millen high waisted pencil skirts -KM size 6 is tiny.

Also Reiss, although their sizes are a lot more generous. Have a few very fitted French Connection size 6 dresses. H&M sizes are small too.

[Astoria7974]

The current size 8s are the equivalent of seventies size 10-12s. Or so my cousin says - she buys a lot of vintage clothes and is a H&M 8.

[Westfacing]

That should be 'below 8s'

[Westfacing]

Astoria I know there were 16s - that was my size!

I was saying I don't remember size 8s in the 70s.

[Astoria7974]

Westfacing - just donated a whole heap of vintage 70s clothing in size 16. So it was definitely available.

[Westfacing]

Yes you do look very young kitty - make the most of it!

[Astoria7974]

You're lucky you're petite. My sister is 5 6 and a size 4. She isn't thin per se but really lean. Her only option is H&M, Mango, or really expensive European brands. The expensive designer brands from the UK usually employ vanity sizing so even when they say it's a 6 it's closer to an 8.

[hellokittymania]

Westfacing whenever I meet somebody and say I wish I could wear bigger sizes or I wish I looked a bit older they all say they wish the opposite so I try and be content with how I am . I can still get into places with children's tickets and ride the carousel without people questioning me .

I was standing next to my employee in a photo though and people asked me if she was my mom . She was 10 years younger than me !

[Birdsbeesandtrees]

Because I don't weigh anywhere near 7.5 stone west

Topshop is ok. Asos is good - it goes down to a 2 now.

I find whistles a little large even at a 4. But primary now do a 4 although it's not tiny it's ok.

A lot of the time I have stuff taken in.

[Westfacing]

No highinthesky - I was 5'2' mid-teens and same height now; obviously shape changes over the years but still basically the same apple look.

I personally think clothes have become bigger in relation to supposed label size - I can't even remember there being sizes below 8 in the 70s, but then I was never looking at that end of the rails!

[highinthesky]

^^Westfacing

[highinthesky]

^^ Did you suddenly gain a few inches in height before you were 20?

[pigeondujour]

I wear anything from a 4 to a 10. Depends on the shop, the garment, and my weight at any given time (seems to change daily). I think it depends on what age certain brands are designed for. Topshop and Zara stuff is TINY, Whistles stuff is massive, ime.

[Westfacing]

Maybe vanity sizing is only for us bigger girls.

As a teen I was 10 stone and a size 16, and now many decades later I'm 10 stone and size 12!

[hellokittymania]

Not vanity sizing at all . I am 33 but often get confused for a teenager and I am under six Stone ! I have always been that way .

[insan1tyscartching]

Dd is 5 foot 2 and weighs 6 stone 10 so wears a 4 or 6.Her perfect size is a child's size age 12 to 13. I wouldn't say for dd it's down to vanity sizing she is genuinely tiny. She prefers it when she is a little heavier as she feels she looks better at size 6 and they are easier to find but she has to make a real effort to gain and maintain her weight.

[Somanyshoes]

Hellokitty, Yes they do, I live in the Middle East and usually receive my deliveries within 48 hours of ordering as they send by DHL Express.

WestFacing, I don't think it is, I'm 5'5" and UK sizes 6 and 8 are way too big (on my lower half). I don't look skinny, but everyone has a different build.

[Westfacing]

Genuine question - I'm very old.

How can a woman in the UK be a size 4? My best friend, who is very stylish, is short and weighs about 7.5 stone, you can see her ribcage, but even she wears an 8.

Is it vanity sizing?